Chapter 418: When Will You Form a Dao Companion Bond?

"Dao Brother, do you still remember that Immortal Dao Seed I carried with me for a time in that previous world?"

The Immortal Dao Seed…

You mean that He Yunqi who obtained the strange Dao-treasure 'Dao Yan Da Qian Lu'?

"Naturally I remember."

The strange treasure he obtained is among the foremost of all Immortal Dao Seeds.

"Though the Dao Yan is illusory, vanishing in an instant, if an external force were to intervene within it, it might yet evolve into a new possibility."

As he spoke, Hong Zun tapped a single finger onto the Xuan Xiang Realm suspended above the green jade desk.

Hum—

The Xuan Xiang Realm trembled lightly, and rings of visible ripples spread outward through that congealed world, sweeping across every single thing within it in their oscillation.

Heaven and earth, the Cultivation World and the mortal realm, even the Xuan Xiang Heavenly Mechanism—every being within the realm, mountains and flowing waters, down to the very finest particles!

Everything grew blurred and indistinct, looking like multiple shadows layered atop one another, yet within the world's own trembling gradually becoming sharply distinct.

"This method may be called Realm Yan." Hong Zun withdrew his hand, yet the changes in the Xuan Xiang Realm did not cease.

That single finger of his had struck at the world's 'possibility,' or rather, its 'timeline.'

It was a plant that should have withered, yet by some accident survived, living out a full cycle of flourishing and decay.

It was also the most insignificant among a person's myriad thoughts, one that should have been overlooked, yet was valued by him and ultimately put into action.

Or a grain of yellow sand in a desert that should have been carried off by a clear breeze, yet this time was not stirred, remaining where it was.

…

Many, many small yet 'different from the original' 'possibilities' were occurring, all of which should have been swallowed by the rolling river of time through the world's self-repair.

Yet now, because of the ripples brought by that single finger, they continued to 'persist.'

The Xuan Xiang Realm itself also extended, from its original 'main timeline,' more 'tributary timelines.'

One finger of Realm Yan, splitting time!

Amidst the humming and trembling, the entire Xuan Xiang Realm abruptly changed, as if layered shadows suddenly scattered apart, and from the original timeline two brand-new 'branch lines' of differing thickness, neither illusory nor real, extended forth once more.

Everything within them, save for a gradually decreasing energy level, was in no way different from the original main timeline!

"If one were to divide regions within the realm for trial, it would after all be difficult to balance." Hong Zun raised his hand and brushed it aside, and an invisible force pushed the Xuan Xiang Realm before Xu Xing, "Why not open two more timelines for the trials."

"The various tributaries are no more than a great dream; if someone can truly see through the illusion, bestowing reality upon them is not impossible."

"What does Dao Brother think?"

The two brand-new 'timelines' generated within the Xuan Xiang Realm could not yet be called 'real'; all beings within them existed in dependence on the main timeline.

It was equivalent to using the beings of the main timeline as templates to create NPCs.

Once the trial ended, everything would collapse into oblivion.

This was not because Hong Zun lacked the ability to make the timelines real, but out of respect for the beings of the Xuan Xiang Realm.

One must understand that if one were to merge with the Dao within a 'multiverse'-type cosmic world, one must gather the singular, gather and refine the true selves of the many timelines, only then can one merge with the Dao and guard the One, carefree and at ease.

If both tributary timelines were real, how would the original beings of the Xuan Xiang Realm take their place?

"Dao Friend's idea is indeed excellent." Xu Xing looked at those two newly generated tributary timelines, "When you saw that multiverse earlier, Dao Friend should already have thought of this, no?"

What was spoken of here was naturally that merged-Dao great realm they had encountered along the way after falling out of the Tai Xuan Realm.

"Correct, but at the time it was merely an idea; it was only after seeing that Immortal Dao Seed that it was truly perfected."

So that was how it was.

Waiting this long just to show off really has been hard on you.

Yuan Jun did not speak, yet also gazed at the Xuan Xiang Realm.

This Realm Yan method was indeed excellent.

Qian Shuang of the Dongzhen Realm, however, stared at the Xuan Xiang Realm for quite a while before finally grasping the key to it.

"My husband is indeed merciful."

One must understand that ninety percent of the cultivators within the Xuan Xiang Realm were beings of the 'Half-Cang' sort.

"All the evolution to this point is because of Xuan's poison; if one were to deny an entire realm's humanity because of it, that would be going too far."

How could a world with only a Return-to-Void energy level resist Xuan's methods?

Such was the great trend; the vast majority of those cultivators were swept along by it, going with the flow, nothing more.

"After the trial ends, I'll still have to trouble Little Sister."

"Mm." Yuan Jun nodded slightly, "I will complete the improvement of that method as soon as possible."

Xu Xing reached out and grasped the Xuan Xiang Realm, cupping his hands together to store it away: "There's no rush; there's still some time before the Xian Sect Grand Competition begins."

Just then, two different voices from behind.

"Xiang Jianzong Dao Brother is coming; Husband, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Xiang Jianzong Senior!"

This latter voice, however, carried undisguised excitement.

Turning back to look, the one who came had features somewhat similar to Zhao Ruohan, wearing a deep-red cross-collared ru skirt embroidered with dark-gold phoenix patterns, a silver-thread sash at the waist with tassels hanging down, vermilion broad sleeves falling, and black hair pinned up into a startled-swan bun.

Zhao Chengmeng, also known to the world as Dao Lord Chengmeng.

Beside her stood a girl in the manner of a young lady, wearing loose cargo pants and a white short-sleeved top with two large black characters printed on it—'Invincible.'

Hong Qianqian, the daughter of Hong Zun and Qian Shuang.

One saw Hong Zun's expression stiffen for a moment, then quickly return to normal: "After all, Dao Brother's coming this time is merely to convey some news; it's no great matter."

Soon, Zhao Chengmeng walked to Hong Zun's other side and sat down.

Hong Qianqian, however, ran to Yuan Jun's side: "Is Xiang Jianzong Senior here to take me as a disciple?"

She peered past Yuan Jun toward Xu Xing, her eyes full of anticipation.

Good!

Although she is Hong Zun's daughter, her dream is to become a Sword Cultivator.

And she herself is the founder of the Talisman-Sword Line of the Taishang Dao Sect, one of the few among Hong Zun's many children to reach the Soul Transformation realm.

"Stop fooling around—Brother Dao hasn't taken a disciple in a long time," Hong Zun said helplessly.

When she was born, he had not yet become an Immortal; only Brother Dao had attained the True Immortal title.

Precisely because of this, nearly all humans born during that era grew up listening to the legends of the Xiang Jianzong, and his daughter was inevitably drawn to becoming a Sword Cultivator.

But back then, Brother Dao was far too busy to spare much time teaching disciples, and Hong Qianqian herself possessed extraordinary talent in cultivation methods, yet only average talent in the Way of the Sword.

Considering all these factors, he never mentioned this matter to Brother Dao.

"Hehe! Just kidding!" Hong Qianqian chuckled.

She is now the founder of the Talisman-Sword Line of the Taishang Dao Sect; naturally, she could never go and become a disciple under the Xiang Jianzong.

"But hasn't the Xiang Jianzong taken a final disciple yet?"

"Not yet. Any recommendations, Qianqian?"

"Me! Just listing my name would be fine!"

She never gave up practicing swordplay; after developing the Talisman-Sword path, she secretly went to the Disciple Selection Grand Ceremony.

But that year, she met the Xiang Jianzong's third disciple, who barely edged her out in victory.

That's right—just a hair's breadth away.

Seeing her performance, the Xiang Jianzong had intended to make an exception and take her in, but she felt it would be unfair and refused.

Later, the Xiang Jianzong stopped taking disciples, and with her father becoming an Immortal and his duties multiplying, she never brought it up again. After another joke, Hong Qianqian sat up straighter and looked at Xiang Yuanjun beside her: "By the way, Auntie, when are you going to become the Xiang Jianzong's Dao Partner?"

Xiang Yuanjun merely smiled lightly and ruffled her hair: "When the time is ripe."

During this time, she chatted with Ling Zu and found that some of her ideas were indeed quite good.

Xu Xing: "..."

He couldn't help but glance across at Hong Zun and his two Dao Partners, who were affectionately entwined, radiating warmth and harmony.

What an old lecher—can't you show some decorum in front of children!

Xu Xing couldn't help but grumble inwardly.

Meanwhile, outside the Taishang Dao Sect's outer gate.

Zhao Ruohan was showing Chi Jiuyu around some "famous attractions," each of them holding an ice cream.

!

The spicy crayfish flavor.

Besides being a bit unusual at first, once accustomed, the taste was quite... novel.

Chi Jiuyu planned to bring some back for her master and junior sister.

"This is the ninth-generation carrier drone of the Taishang series. Compared to the previous model, it's equipped with a super-miniature jump engine, making its flight speed faster and its spiritual energy cannon's total output significantly stronger."

Inside the massive factory, Zhao Ruohan pointed to the sleek, entirely black drone, its surface etched with numerous array patterns.

"In space, with full power, a single shot can cover thirty square kilometers and erase all living beings below the Nascent Soul realm."

"Three working together can use their Spirit-Binding Chains to capture ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators."

"Its spiritual awareness response speed has improved seventy percent over the previous model; when connected to the Battle Network or Ship Spirit, it can activate autonomous patrol mode."

"Ten such drones can complete the exploration of a small life planet within one minute."

"Typically, only medium-sized exploration starships carry such drones; installing them on others would be a waste."

Zhao Ruohan explained with great seriousness, but Chi Jiuyu, walking beside her, felt something was off.

So the "famous attractions" you're talking about are these?

"Ninth-generation? I thought your SpiritNet just announced pre-orders for the seventh-generation model."

"Yes, the ninth-generation is still an internal-use model; it hasn't been released."

"..."

Total sneak, no wonder it's the Taishang Dao Sect.

They already have the ninth-generation, yet still charge so much for the seventh!

"As far as I know, all sects do this—doesn't your Xiang Jianzong?"

"I guess so..."

There are some internal-use models in our sect too.

As for any devices still in development...

She wasn't quite sure—the Sect Master never let her near this stuff, saying he feared she'd go brag about it on SpiritNet...

Fuck!

Am I really that kind of person?!

Who are you looking down on?!

I'm the youngest Soul Transformation ever, the Sword Sovereign's direct disciple, the Mingdingde Sect's destined master, and the absolute #1 in the Xian Sect Grand Competition!

This Sect Master is clearly senile—only someone like me, a wise and enlightened master, can save the Xiang Jianzong and lead it back to glory!

But then again...

If this is an internal-use factory, should I even be seeing this?

Shouldn't this be classified?!

"Little Zhao, do you sell these drones?"

She did think that way, but the drones really were cool—she was quite tempted.

"We don't sell them to the public." Zhao Ruohan turned to look at Chi Jiuyu, "But if you want some, I can sell you a few at the internal price."

Little Zhao really wasn't a bad person.

Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu was quite gratified.

Then, Zhao Ruohan quoted her a price.

"Do you want to pay and take them now?"

"..." Chi Jiuyu deliberated for a moment, "I was just about to switch star-ships. Once I've swapped, I'll come find you to buy them."

Damn it!

A few shipboard drones cost this much!

She'd apply to her master for funding first; she still hadn't swapped to the medium star-ship she'd promised to get before.

Save where she could.

A poor, honest fisher like her couldn't compare to a wealthy fairy like Little Zhao.

"Either way works, just contact me when the time comes." Zhao Ruohan went along with it readily.

After another stroll, looking at some completed but unsold artifacts as well as some still under development, the two finally came out from inside.

They returned to the bustling new-product launch event.

Gazing at those "outdated artifacts," Chi Jiuyu couldn't help feeling a touch wistful.

"Oh right, where's your brother?"

That "beaten-into-a-dog brother."

"He's not important." Zhao Ruohan tossed the cone in her hand into a nearby trash bin, "He's been busy lately, falling in love with a female cultivator from Jishi Valley."

Tsk tsk!

Love and romance and all that only affect her Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu's sword-drawing speed!

Chi Jiuyu took a bite of the cone in her hand, when she heard Zhao Ruohan start talking to herself again: "I heard him say that at first the female cultivator from Jishi Valley added the wrong person, then the two of them chatted and got familiar, and eventually grew to like each other."

An online romance to boot—really unreliable.

"Then how many times have those two met in person?"

Love and romance and all that might affect her Jiuyu Hehuan Hehuan Laozu's sword-drawing speed, but gossip wouldn't.

"They haven't met yet." As if feeling it wasn't proper, Zhao Ruohan specifically emphasized, "They've chatted for a year and a half and still haven't met in person."

"Huh?"

No way, with teleportation arrays this convenient nowadays, over a year and they still haven't met once?

"Though he's bought quite a lot of tea leaves—if you want some, I can give you some."

Tea leaves?

That doesn't seem right!

"Wait! Let me guess—that female cultivator from Jishi Valley, is her grandfather an aging spiritual tea farmer whose tea leaves are piling up unsold?"

"Mm, that's right. That female cultivator said her grandfather used to be a garrison commander of the Heng Star System, whose divine soul was damaged during the resistance against bio-weapons. After coming back now, out of interest he took on a few tea mountains to roast tea."

Holy crap!

In this day and age, people actually fall for such a low-level scam?

"Didn't you try to talk him out of it?"

"I did. He said it's his 'true love.' Just from selling tea this past year, the money alone is enough for several of those drones we just saw."

"Could it be that he got beaten silly..." Chi Jiuyu couldn't help muttering.

But she didn't expect Zhao Ruohan to nod: "I think so too."

"..."

She'd always thought "beaten into a dog" was a verb—turns out it's damn well an adjective!

(End of this chapter)